As I described in Get
the ISO you need to create your own Windows 8.1 DVD, if you have more than
one Windows 8 system that you need to update to Windows 8.1, you'll want to
download a Windows 8.1 ISO image that you can use to update multiple systems.
However, if you are running Windows 8 on a single machine and want to update to
Windows 8.1, you can do so using the free upgrade procedure via the Windows
Store.

In this article I'll walk you through the entire Windows 8
to Windows 8.1 upgrade procedure using the Windows Store.

Creating a System Image

As you may have heard, the Windows 8.1 upgrade is supposed
to be a simple and safe procedure and that has been my experience so far.
However, some people have encountered problems and so, just to be on the safe
side, I recommend that you create a complete backup image of your hard disk
using the Windows 7 File Recovery tool. That way, if anything out of the
ordinary were to occur as perform the upgrade, you will be able to return to
your current configuration using the
System Image Recovery procedure.

Figure A

Accessing the Windows 7 File Recovery tool from the Start screen is easy.

In a moment, you'll see the Windows 7 File Recovery user
interface and you should select the Create a system image command on the left
side of the screen to launch the creation tool. On the first screen you will
need to choose where you are going to create a system image. For example, you
can create the system image on a set of DVD discs, as illustrated in Figure
B.

Figure B

You can create the system image on a set of DVD discs.

When you click Next, you'll be prompted to confirm your
backup settings. When you are ready, just click the Start backup button and
Windows will begin preparing for the operation. As it does you, you will be
prompted to label and insert the first DVD disc. This process is illustrated in
Figure C.

Figure C

When you click the Start backup button, you'll be prompted to insert a
blank DVD disc.

Once you insert the blank disc, you'll be prompted to format
it before the backup actually begins. Then, once the backup operation gets
under way, you'll see progress indicators letting you know the status of the
operation. When the System Image creation procedure is complete, you'll be
prompted to create a System Repair disc, as shown in Figure D. However,
as you may remember, a System Repair disc is the same as the Recovery Drive and
if you have already created
a Recovery Drive, you can just click No and you will be notified that the
backup completed successfully.

Figure D

In Windows 8, the System Repair disc is the same as the Recovery Drive.

Downloading the Windows 8.1 installer

With your system image backup
tucked way, the next step is to download the Windows 8.1 installer. To do so, go to the Windows Store from
the Start screen and access the Windows 8.1 download screen, shown in Figure
E.

Figure E

The Windows 8.1 update is available from the Windows Store.

When you click the Download button, the download operation
will begin. Once it gets underway, you'll see the process advance, as illustrated
in Figure F. Keep in mind that the download is almost 4GB and so may
take a while depending on your Internet connection speed.

Figure F

The download process can take a while depending on your internet connection
speed.

Once the download is complete, you will see a message similar
to the one shown in Figure G, which will prompt you to restart your system.
To continue, just click the Restart button. Once the system restarts, the first
stage of the Windows 8.1 setup procedure will commence.

Figure G

Once the download is complete, you will be prompted to restart your system.

Setup - stage 1

Once the download is complete and the system restarts, the
installation procedure will begin, and you'll see a screen similar to the one
that I encountered on my Dell laptop, as shown in Figure H.

Figure H

Once the system restarts, the installation procedure will begin.

As you can see the first screen indicates that setup is
getting underway. You'll see this screen for a little while but the message
will change as the installation progresses. Of course there will be a couple of
restarts. For example, on my test system the next message was Getting devices
ready, which was then followed by Getting ready, and Applying PC
settings. Finally, the screen shown in Figure I appears.

Figure I

Just a few more things to do.

Once these last few things are taken care of, your system
will restart again.

Setup - stage 2

As soon as your system reboots, you'll be prompted to accept
the Windows 8.1 license terms and will see a screen similar to the one shown in
Figure J. As you can see, this is an OEM license for Windows 8.1 between
me and the computer manufacturer, which in this case is Dell.

Figure J

This shows an OEM license from Dell.

After you click OK on the License terms screen, you'll see a
Settings screen like the one shown in Figure K. Your best bet is to just
click the Use express settings button. When you do, it appears as though Setup
just uses your existing settings. Of course, if you want to change your settings
go ahead and click the Customize button.

Figure K

You'll want to click the Use express settings button.

On the following screens, you'll be prompted to enter your
Microsoft Account password, specify your backup email account and then enter
the security code that will be sent to you via your backup email account. Once
you enter the code, you'll see the screen shown in Figure L that prompts
you to use SkyDrive, which is deeply
integrated into Windows 8.1.

Figure L

SkyDrive is deeply integrated into Windows 8.1.

You'll then see a series of screens that change color while
they inform you that settings are being configured. You'll then see a screen, like
the one shown in Figure M, which informs you that your previously
installed apps are being reinstalled. Keep in mind that some third-party apps
may only have a tile on the Start Screen. Just click the tile and the app will
be completely reinstalled.

Figure M

Your apps will be reinstalled.

Finally you will see the new transparent Start Screen that
allows you to see your desktop wallpaper in the background, as shown in Figure
N.

Figure N

When the installation is complete, you'll see the new transparent Start
Screen.

What's your take?

Have you installed the Windows 8.1 upgrade? If so, what has
been your experience? As always, if you have comments or information to share
about this topic, please take a moment to drop by the TechRepublic Community
Forums and let us hear from you.

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About Greg Shultz

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.

Full Bio

Greg Shultz is a freelance Technical Writer. Previously, he has worked as Documentation Specialist in the software industry, a Technical Support Specialist in educational industry, and a Technical Journalist in the computer publishing industry.